using a stanley no. 46

Re: using a stanley no. 46

Mike Fitterling

>Sharp cutters and sharp knicker. I recently finished a headboard with zebrawood panels. The panels were "raised" by means of a simple wide rabbett. The top of the panels were arched and the only thing I had in my arsenal to do that cross-grained work in a difficult wood was my 46. Worked like a charm. I find it difficult to do a good job sharpening the knicker, so I scroed the edge of the rabbett with a knife before starting and everything went smooth from there on.

...and

David Miller from Iowa

>...good wood. Straight grained wood and a sharp cutter make this a joy to use. Knots or not paying attention to the grain and you will have trouble. One thing I never figured about the 46 cutters - there is no cutter to make a 3/4" dado. I guess they started issuing the set before our current dimensional lumber came to be. I had Jim Reed make me one and i use it all the time.

David

A few tips

jim reed @ tallahassee

>You will find success with your #46 if you use really sharp cutters and take light shavings. Some like to use the nickers, but I like to use a boxcutter instead. Make sure your wood is fastened securely to the bench as dado work puts lots of lateral strain on the workpiece. I dog the long boards at each end and then use a large woodscrew to clamp the board to the bench. This plane is one of my favorites and you are lucky to have one. Good luck with your projects.

One more thing...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Asides from what the others have said...

By attaching the outer fence upside down and using a guide board, you can dado in the middle of a board. Think shelves here.